Transactional analysis is a style of psychotherapy founded by Canadian Eric Berne.
Berne initially worked as a psychiatrist, and later decided to retrain as a psychoanalyst. He found the psychoanalytic approach to focus too heavily on the internal, intrapsychic process for his liking, so he began to develop his own thoughts and theories.
Berne's early models of behaviour and interaction were published in professional psychoanalysis journals, but his approach was met with resistance from psychoanalysts.
Berne decided to go his own way and set up a new school of psychotherapy, and transactional analysis was born. Today, transactional analysis is a widely respected approach in counselling & psychotherapy, education, business management and medicine.
TA Style
In terms of its style, transactional analysis, sometimes referred to simply as 'TA', can be seen as a sitting in-between psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy.
Transactional analysis utilizes aspects of psychoanalysis through its focus on how our past impact us in the present, as Berne was heavily influenced by Freud despite key differences in approach.
And in a more humanistic style, TA therapists often aim to reduce any power imbalance with their clients, while Carl Rogers' core conditions from person-centred counselling (empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence) are reflected in Berne's approach.
Roots
The name 'transactional analysis' was based on Berne's term 'transaction' - meaning a 'unit of recognition' or an interaction between two people.
Berne also developed a theory of ego states - separated into Parent, Adult and Child - which is used to represent our thoughts, feelings and behaviour in any moment.
Our Parent ego state contains thoughts, feelings and behaviours which are influenced by key figures from our past, such as parents, caregivers or cultural influences.
Our Child ego state contains thoughts, feelings and behaviours which mimic experiences from our childhood.
Our Adult ego state contains our autonomous and authentic thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the present, free from historical influences.
Berne aimed for transactional analysis to be accessible for both therapists and clients. Diagrams such as the PAC model are a simple and helpful way to break behaviour down.
While the theory can appear over-simplified at first viewing, transactional analysis includes a huge body of theory and research which can support clients with a wide range of issues.
Transactional analysis psychotherapists also have robust and extensive training which supports them to work on complex, deep issues rooted in our individual histories.
Life script
One key aspect of transactional analysis is the life script. The life script contains beliefs about ourselves which are built up from childhood.
Our script is influenced by key figures in our early years, the culture we live in and the experiences we have. We often then unconsciously reinforce these script beliefs by seeking more experiences and relationships which 'fit' our script beliefs about who we are and what our lives 'should' look like.
Transactional analysis psychotherapists aim to bring the life script into more conscious awareness, which can allow for more flexibility in our thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the present and future.
Core principles
Berne sought to create a more balanced relationship than is typical in traditional psychoanalysis.
Three central central principles in transactional analysis are:
People are OK - This lays the groundwork for key theories within transactional analysis. It is the view that no matter who you are or what you do, people are generally OK underneath it all. As client and therapist, we can start on equal footing and seek to understand behaviour without shame or judgement.
People have the capacity to think - This principle shows respect for the client's ability to make their own decisions. The therapist is there to support the client to develop their strengths and their autonomy.
People have the capacity to change - Sometimes change can seem impossible, or at least extremely challenging. Transactional analysis assumes that clients have the power to make their own way in life, and have the power to change any destructive patterns or ways of thinking.
Application
Transactional analysis has many more theories, tools and techniques which support the process of psychotherapy - such as redecision, deconfusion and decontamination.
The bestseller Games People Play (Berne, 1964) brought transactional analysis into the public eye, and introduced the key theory of games - which aimed to explain how familiar and generally unfulfilling social interactions come about.
Berne once famously said “do not ask whether you are playing a game, ask which game you are playing”.
If you found this article helpful and are interested in transactional analysis psychotherapy, please feel free to contact me to organise a free initial conversation.
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